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In this episode I discuss why obsessing over speed and efficiency often slows real progress, and how treating time as the main variable causes people to optimize before they understand what actually matters. I explain that in complex domains like learning, creativity, startups, and decision-making, progress comes from uncovering underlying structure, not from doing more work faster. By focusing on depth, constraints, and conceptual insight, the space of possibilities collapses, breakthroughs feel sudden, and real speed emerges as a side effect of understanding rather than effort.
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Become a Member at nontrivialpodcast.com or patreon.com/8431143/join
Premium members get access to the full member app. This includes data visualizations of the core concepts in each episode, a Study Space for learning fundamentals, and premium articles on Techniques and Mindsets.
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By Sean McClure5
1515 ratings
In this episode I discuss why obsessing over speed and efficiency often slows real progress, and how treating time as the main variable causes people to optimize before they understand what actually matters. I explain that in complex domains like learning, creativity, startups, and decision-making, progress comes from uncovering underlying structure, not from doing more work faster. By focusing on depth, constraints, and conceptual insight, the space of possibilities collapses, breakthroughs feel sudden, and real speed emerges as a side effect of understanding rather than effort.
Support the show
Become a Member at nontrivialpodcast.com or patreon.com/8431143/join
Premium members get access to the full member app. This includes data visualizations of the core concepts in each episode, a Study Space for learning fundamentals, and premium articles on Techniques and Mindsets.
Members can also save personal notes, explore episode summaries and transcripts, search across episodes, track watch history and progress, and participate in the community forum. Premium membership includes ongoing support.